policy and politics from a local government and democracy viewpoint, written by the team at LGiU

Police accountability

Looks like the police are rolling up their sleeves to take the fight to the Conservatives. Sir Hugh Orde is the new president of ACPO – the powerful (probably too powerful) police representative body. In a conference speech today he has heaped scorn on Conservative proposals to introduce directly elected police commissioners.

Aficionados of the police accountability debate will remember that Jacqui Smith attempted to bring in direct elections for crime and disorder reduction partnerships and failed, scrapping proposals at the eleventh hour in the face of opposition from across policing and local government.

ACPO is a force to be reckoned with. Councils worried about the prospect of direct elections might be relieved to see they won’t be introduced without an almighty fight, regardless of manifesto pledges.